Should parents be able to pass on their parental leave entitlement to grandparents?

I don't think my DCs GPs would want to, and even those who would, would not need it as they are retired.

crazy idea!

Whose campaign is this? Is this real?! Why stop at grandparents? Where babies have much older siblings, or more likely step- or half-siblings, why not allow them to take some of the leave as well? And what about grandparents who really don't want to look after their grandchild but feel pressurised to do so because they are now allowed to take time off work?

One word, no.

It sounds daft to me. Parents have enough leave to do it between them if they want to.

I'm all for grandparent support, but they are grandparents, not parents, and they shouldn't have this kind of pressure put on them, which I think it would be if it were to become law. I think it could also lead to pressure from women's employers as they might be led to thinking that full maternity entitlement doesn't need to be taken.

Two people decide to have a child: the parents, and it should be their responsibility to make decisions about leave and childcare. I think the split leave between mum and dad is a fabulous idea and long overdue- both parents are equally capable of caring for their child. But to start involving extended family is daft. I am all for close family relationships and lots of love between grandparents and grandkids but this proposal sounds like an abdication of parental responsibility. Let the grandparents do what they choose, and are available to do.

No, I don't think it's a good idea. Either use your parental leave or forfeit it.

The line needs to be drawn somewhere and, IMO, the clue is in the name: Parental leave.

I don't think that its a good idea, like yousank said parents need to be parents.

My mum got 2 weeks paid leave when i had the twins. Needed to fill lots of forms and stuff but because i was on my own the paternity leave was given to her

No. Parents need to be parents - that isn't something can be passed on. You may lose earnings when your baby is tiny, but that is part of becoming a parent.

Anyone else wondering what we're missing elsewhere on site based on Justine's post?

I don't like this idea. But then I don't like the split between parents idea either, since, typically, a man makes more than a woman and therefore I feel the 'split it' idea is a bone thrown, not an actual achievable goal.

This feels a bit the same.

This is a great idea. My dh and I already earn more than our respective parents, but we want our baby to be looked after by us or family for as long as possible (rather than nursery, can't afford childminder/nanny). So we'd love for - say - my mum to take some of my maternity leave.

No - I think it is a very bad idea.

I'm anti at this stage - we haven't yet seen how flexibility between parents will work in practice yet. With parents it is clearly a good idea which we must make work. The same for grandparents isn't so clear - I might be persuaded otherwise if I see both parents taking time out to be with their child and it working well. I can see the admin burden on small firms getting a bit overwhelming tbh.

I don't think so, no - where would it end ? Any employee taking time off, saying it is to care for their niece or nephew / Great Niece / should you allow God Children ? / What about Gaurdians ? Surely you only volunteer to look after a relative's child if you are available, I can't see Grandparents who are still at work doing this, personally.